Lycaena phlaeas

English name:
Small Copper
Full scientific name:
Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761)
Croatian name:
Mali vatreni plavac

Red Book Category in EU: LC

Red Book Category in Croatia: NE

Wings span: 21-29 mm

Lycaena phlaeas, male, Brač, 0820L9075
Lycaena phlaeas, male, Brač, 0820L9075
Lycaena phlaeas, male, Brač, 0820L9075
Lycaena phlaeas, male, Brač, 0820L9075
Lycaena phlaeas, female, Baranja, 0421L2904
Lycaena phlaeas, female, Baranja, 0421L2904
Lycaena phlaeas, female, Baranja, 0421L2904
Lycaena phlaeas, female, Baranja, 0421L2904

Flight Period and Life Cycle

Flight period of Lycaena phlaeas in Croatia
Flight period of Lycaena phlaeas in Croatia

More broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.

Distribution in Croatia

Distribution of Lycaena phlaeas in Croatia
Distribution of Lycaena phlaeas in Croatia

The entire territory including islands. Check the included map.

External Morphology Characteristics

In the first broad, the upper side of the forewing is more intense orange in color. In females, the dark border is well defined. There are merged orange spots in the submarginal zone of the hindwing. The underside of the forewing is orange in color with a brown zone in the apex. There is a tail on the hindwing. Moreover, on the underside of the hindwing, in submarginal zone, there are merged orange spots.

Behavior

Imago feeds with nectar of various flowers.

Caterpillar Host Plants

Genus Rumex, like R. crispus, R. hydrolapatum, R. longifolius, R. acetosa, R. scutatus, R. acetosella and R. pulcher.

Habitat

Overgrown meadows with bushes. Elevations: 0-1200m.

Gallery

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